Differantiation proof question exlanation problem

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The discussion focuses on proving the derivative of a function f(x) using the limit definition of the derivative. The proof demonstrates that f'(x) can be expressed as the limit of the difference quotient, specifically f'(x) = limh → 0 (f(x+h) - f(x-h)) / (2h). The conversation also addresses the choice of variables in the proof and the relationship between the limit definitions involving x_0 and h. The key takeaway is that both definitions can be reconciled through appropriate variable substitution.

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if f(x) is differentiable on x_0
prove that
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/3189/51290270sj1.th.gif

??

[itex]f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}[/itex]

now let [itex]u = x+h \Rightarrow x = u-h[/itex]

So [itex]f'(u-h) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(u-h+h)-f(u-h)}{h} = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(u)-f(u-h)}{h}[/itex]

Since [itex]h \to 0, f'(u-h) \to f'(u)[/itex]

Therefore [itex]f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x)-f(x-h)}{h}[/itex]

[itex]f'(x)+f'(x) = 2f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0}\left( \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h} + \frac{f(x)-f(x-h)}{h} \right)[/itex]

[itex]2f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h)-f(x-h)}{h}[/itex]

Hence, [itex]f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h)-f(x-h)}{2h}[/itex]


i understand this solution but
how to pick those variables??
and why it didnt use the point x_0
that they presented
 
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there is another definition to limit that uses x_0 that i was given
[itex] f'(x) = \lim_{x \to x_0} \frac{f(x)-f(x_0)}{x-x_0}[/itex]

is there a way to use this definition like you did before
what variables to pick so it will go on the "h" defnition??
 

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